ADE 2026 recap: 30 years of Amsterdam Dance Event
A sold-out AMF, a storm that ended an outdoor party early and the return of the Gashouder — the moments that defined ADE's anniversary edition.
The Amsterdam Dance Event turned 30 this year. From 21 to 25 October 2026, the city hosted more than 3,600 artists, 1,300+ events and 300+ venues — from tiny clubs to the Johan Cruijff ArenA — and local media reported at least 600,000 visitors over five days and nights.
Here are the moments that defined ADE's anniversary edition.
AMF sells out the ArenA
Amsterdam Music Festival sold out before Saturday 24 October, with 40,000 people inside the Johan Cruijff ArenA until 06:00. David Guetta brought his Monolith show to ADE for the first time, alongside Afrojack, Amelie Lens, Armin van Buuren, ARTBAT, D-Block & S-te-Fan, Korolova and Marlon Hoffstadt.
The Gashouder is back
After around 18 months of renovation, the legendary Gashouder at Westergas reopened during ADE with a Benwal b2b Armin van Buuren set on Wednesday 22 October. The official opening of the renovated venue follows on 30 October.
Techno nights to remember
- KI/KI played two sold-out five-hour nights at the Ziggo Dome, with DJ Gigola, Funk Tribu and The Opposites joining.
- Awakenings took its ADE nights to the Sugarfactory in Halfweg; Friday's Sessions featured JakoJako, Rødhåd, Ben Klock with Philippa Pacho, and Alarico with Chlär.
- STOOR, Speedy J's jam session, returned to Paradiso with Donato Dozzy, Wallis and The Fear Ratio for around eight hours.
Storm Boelo cuts Into The Woods short
Strong winds from Storm Boelo forced Into The Woods at the NDSM Wharf to close 90 minutes early on Saturday 24 October, at 21:30 instead of 23:00. Organisers said 19.5 of the 21 planned hours were played.
New gear: Technics SL-1210MKX
Technics used ADE to launch the SL-1210MKX turntable at Pacific on 21 October. It sits above the MK7, adds an extended pitch range and goes on sale in January 2027 at €1,499 / £1,299.
Safety notes
Not everything went smoothly: pepper spray or tear gas incidents were reported at several venues during the week, including Audio Obscura, elrow and a party at the Gashouder, where 15 people visited first aid and nobody needed hospital treatment.
30 years of ADE
What started in 1996 as a small industry gathering has become the world's biggest club festival and conference. Thirty editions later, ADE is still the week where the global scene meets — and where trance, techno and melodic sounds share the same city.
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Source: Techno Airlines
